Comments on: Lerner on opener: ‘Hopefully we can get it in’http://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/
News, analysis and commentary from someone who has covered the Washington Nationals since Day 1Tue, 03 Mar 2015 20:16:17 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.com/By: natsfan1ahttp://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30945
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:29:19 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30945Agree re. timing of NatsFests. Have enjoyed attending weekend Winter NatsFests and caravans since they started (other than last year, when my husband was recuperating from surgery). Our "micro" plans tend to include only weekend games, as it's difficult for us to make it on weeknights. That is also true for NatsFest and other events. Also, it's been a nice break from the Winter doldrums (would be even nicer if it were held *indoors*). Was disappointed to hear that they'd likely do it the same way next year.I also agree re. having more team store outlets (and VA 'burbs would be great).
]]>By: sm13http://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30943
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:03:40 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30943I agree with Stew — the winter fanfast is a much better option. It provides a needed boost during the dog days of the offseason. If other teams can get all their players to town, I think the Nats could do the same. Holding it March 30th was a cop out.And, while I'm ranting, why is there no downtown team store or Nats kiosks in local malls? It's time for the Nats to join the major leages in promoting themselves and creating fan loyalty in this region!
]]>By: Stew Magnusonhttp://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30936
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:28:23 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30936I went to the first two FanFests and they were well attended. Had a great time and it was something fun to do in the dead of winter. Zero chance I can attend one on a weekday. My boss has always been good about giving me time off for Opening Day, but two days in a row? No way. Nor would I feel right about doing that.
]]>By: natsfan1ahttp://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30918
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:39:42 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30918Safe travels, NatsJack.
]]>By: Andrewhttp://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30917
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:39:03 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30917NatsJack, are you coming by yourself?
]]>By: NatsJack in Floridahttp://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30916
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:19:27 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30916Sitting in OIA waiting to board a 7:30am flight. One can work up good sweat wearing thermal gear in Florida!
]]>By: Section 223http://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30915
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:45:18 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30915Only a billionaire would think taking two days off in the middle of the week is a good idea. I think they probably forgot about the fan fest until it was too late to have the event in winter, when folks need some solace and hope for spring. Mr. Lerner just isn't paying attention if he thinks poor attendance was due only because of the weather.Play ball!
]]>By: Anonymoushttp://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30914
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 06:33:30 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30914Put a winner on the field and they can have the FanFest on Yom Kippur for all I care.Its not going to happen this year unless 2-3 pitchers suddenly become major league stoppers in AAA/AA this year and Riggleman/Rizzo would have to call them up and drop them into the Nats rotation replacing "a veteran". Its certainly possible but highly unlikely.
]]>By: Billhttp://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30913
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 03:49:19 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30913Put a winner on the field and they can have the FanFest on Yom Kippur for all I care.
]]>By: Rob Dibble's Ghosthttp://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30912
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 03:23:50 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30912Both Channel 4 and Channel 9 are calling for kind of a dreary and gloomy day tomorrow, but no real rain until later in the evening. Veronica Johnson on 4 even led off her 11:00 forecast by saying tomorrow looks "much better." It still doesn't look like ideal baseball weather, but it looks like we should have a game.Go Nats!
]]>By: SonnyG10http://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30911
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 03:15:19 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30911I much prefer to have the Winter Fest! This is when I'm starved for baseball action, not the day before opening day. The Hot Stove luncheon was great last year.
]]>By: Andrewhttp://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30910
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 03:11:35 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30910Rob Dibble's Ghost said… This time of year, most fans are already excited about Opening Day and NatsFest doesn't have the same appeal. Personally, I start to go into "baseball withdrawl" in December/January and NatsFest was a great cure for that. I hope they reconsider their future plans for this event. Very well said. I could go for a Welcome Home Luncheon on a day like today as there are no lines and a relaxed atmosphere but for the reasons you stated not really interested in this format for a NatsFest.+1 on January NatsFest
]]>By: Rob Dibble's Ghosthttp://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30908
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 03:04:48 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30908I will agree with the other posters about the RCR being a great perk. I may actually buy a 21-game plan soon based on what I've seen on here regarding the benefits. On another note, I don't doubt for a second that the "new" NatsFest is directly related to StanK's departure. Like him or not, he was very visible to the public and I think he was the driving force behind these types of events. Obviously, when he left, the team didn't do a good job of reassigning the duties that Stan always seemed to be the driving force behind (NatsFest, Hot Stove Luncheon, etc.). Even if the weather cooperated today, it's still a weekday – people have obligations like work and school. A winter event is much more likely to fuel interest in the team much earlier in the year. This time of year, most fans are already excited about Opening Day and NatsFest doesn't have the same appeal. Personally, I start to go into "baseball withdrawl" in December/January and NatsFest was a great cure for that. I hope they reconsider their future plans for this event.
]]>By: Anonymous8http://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30907
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 03:00:47 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30907Anon @ 10:49, you are missing some of the points made, so you can have Gregory instead of George Will in January or Tim Kirkjian or someone else. What is unique about that?A Winter Fest like what the Cardinals, Cubs, Orioles, etc are doing is the standard for a good reason and I bet perferred by fans. Maybe Mark can do a Poll.
]]>By: Mark'dhttp://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30906
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 02:54:12 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30906I was there with 2 of my kids. Nothing unique. A Feffer Failed Fest For Fans. Fuggetaboutit for next year. Bring back the Winter Fest!It was exciting for my kids but not for me. I think the Winter Fest would be more exciting and more relaxed. The Hot Stove lunch is a top quality event that is a must.
]]>By: Anonymoushttp://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30905
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 02:49:45 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30905"Pedro said…How else can you explain Feffer selling a cheap Opening Day-Eve FanFest as "unique" and "exciting"It would be interesting to hear what Heffer would say was "unique" about this event."If the Nats are the only team doing their FanFest right before Opening Day, that by definition makes it unique. Just sayin'.And had the weather been better, allowing batting practice and other on-field events, today's event would easily have been more exciting than those stale winter NatsFests ever were. How many times do you need to hear George F. Will talk anyway?
]]>By: Anonymous8http://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30904
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 02:36:37 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30904Pedro said…How else can you explain Feffer selling a cheap Opening Day-Eve FanFest as "unique" and "exciting"It would be interesting to hear what Heffer would say was "unique" about this event. "Exciting" is very subjective and probably was exciting to some but unfortunately this was pretty much like the others except the full roster particpated plus some of the top players like Stras, Wang and Harper.I think the point of Anon above talking about the Cubs Winter event was to show that they get almost all the players + retired star players in the middle of a Chicago winter.
]]>By: sjm308http://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30903
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 02:36:08 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30903Not sure how long the Nats are going to keep up their Red Carpet Rewards but even the most negative fan can't complain about this program. Looks like I will get at least 12 more games with this program and I only have a 21 game plan. We also get 2 games in the Stars & Stripes Club and I plan to use those with $5 tickets. If my buddies and I pool our points we could also get seats down around home plate. Its a great plan and I can only think that when attendance starts to pick up it will be the first thing they drop. Excited about tomorrow, just hope the rain holds off.Go Nats!!
]]>By: Rob Dibble's Ghosthttp://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30902
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 02:34:34 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30902Since the cheap theme has been brought up again, perhaps this is a good opportunity to point out that postgame fireworks on Friday nights are now a thing of the past. Boo.
]]>By: Mr Donkeyhttp://natsinsider.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in/comment-page-1/#comment-30901
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 02:26:50 +0000http://natsinsider.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lerner-on-opener-hopefully-we-can-get-it-in#comment-30901Hope we're on tomorrow. I have seats to the game and a flight out to Chicago in the evening; cubs opening day at wrigley on Friday. To get two opening days would be awesome. By the way, added another partial plan this year. With nats bucks, red carpet and single game discounts I can't believe how great even a single partial plan is in terms of value and benefits. Gonaa be a great summer down in 106.
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